Outside, the styling is unmistakably early ‘30s. It begins in front
with the hood and grille styling cues of the 1934 Chevrolet and
continues with the metal body of a ’32 Deuce. Hard to miss are the
custom 18-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels styled similarly
to those on the all-new Corvette Z06, as well as the BASF Custom
Star Silver paint.

To celebrate 50 years of arguably the most famous engine ever, the
GM Performance Division chose to use the GM small block, in the form
of the LS7, to power the roadster. It’s the same engine used in the
2006 Z06 and is available to enthusiasts only in a crate through GM
Performance Parts.

Working with Jay Leno, GM has taken this engine superpower to new
heights, developing a High Output version of a production LS7, an
oxymoron considering the engine already boasts 505 horsepower and
470 lb.-ft. of torque. This special version of the LS7 has
modifications that should help it reach the 580+ horsepower range,
or more than enough to keep dust from settling on the roadster.
Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual
transmission with a 3.73:1 final drive ratio.

Other notable performance features on this car include a rear
suspension module borrowed from the sixth-generation Corvette, a
capless refueling system and a Cadillac CTS-V differential developed
for production by the GM Performance Division.

Finally, to make sure everyone knows this is truly a GM vehicle, the
GM Performance Division has emblazoned the Corvette and 50th
Anniversary Small Block logos on the vehicle, and used the frame of
a 1932 Chevrolet owned by Leno to legitimize this as a classic GM
hot rod.

“Because of the 50th anniversary of the small block, this year we
focused on tradition, but this Deuce is anything but traditional,”
said Leno. “I’ve enjoyed working with GM Performance Division the
last few years and look forward to our continued relationship.”

Leno has collaborated with GM since 2002, restoring and improving
vintage vehicles using GM Performance Parts, including Leno’s ’55
Buick Roadmaster and ’66 Olds Toronado. He has a penchant for high
performance, much like GM Performance Division, and appreciates GM’s
ability to deliver that performance.